Darling you can't live your life
Singing songs in exile
You were born for Stolem's crown,
Enough with Self-denial.
So don't you close the door on fate
When she comes to call.
Tell her that you'll join her there
At the masqueraders' ball.
Funny how some people never love at all.

She laughed softly. The song playing in the background on the cd player seemed oddly appropriate for this moment in time. She didn't usually listen to pop music, but 9 years after its release she was just getting around to this one.

Hyacinth sat back in her library and contemplated her current position. A twinge of guilt passed through her as she remembered that she was not alone in the house. No, once again she had taken in the stray puppy and was seeing for its welfare. Only there is something noble in taking in a puppy, but something entirely base about taking it in for the sake of eating it.

She stretched in her seat and shook out her fingers. She had been writing entirely too much. Still, she thought, the few minor deceptions were justified. All's fair in love and hunting, yes? And he was just what she needed. Oh, so there was certainly something lacking in the personality department, and skeletons were rattling so loudly in his closet that they could form their own percussion section. But really, that was all irrelevant. He was beautiful and he was talented, and those were the only criteria she had anymore. All else could be molded, shaped, built up or stripped away under her careful tending.

She was being intentionally deliberate with this one. Sure, she could have used her powers on him and gotten what she wanted. But after almost four centuries, the thrill of the chase was the only real pleasure. No, this one she would toy with, reeling him in painfully slowly. If there was one thing Hyacinth had it was patience.

But love is extra-terrestrial
Love falls from the stars
Like Maxwell Demon's silver disc
Into this world of ours

Actually, she hadn't a clue what she planned to do with him. Two hundred years ago she would have fallen hopelessly enamoured with the idea of the One Eternal Love, and would have petted and groomed him in the hopes that he would be the one to stay with her for eternity. But time and experience bring wisdom and long ago she learned the futility of such beliefs. Love *is* extra terrestrial, she thought, and it's not something to be found in this plane of existence.

Hyacinth sighed, her mind still running over the many possible plans of attack. Sadly, she reflected on her last thoughts and realized that she was becoming a jaded old fool. As beautiful as Rhys had been, Hyacinth was no longer capable of loving a mortal. Or perhaps she was capable, but caution, paranoia and guilt prevented her from venturing into that realm of emotion.

Besides, this one didn't seem to have the power to stir her soul. Perhaps somewhere within there was the poet, the muse, the ideal pet to keep her satisfied for decades or beyond. But it seemed highly unlikely. Still, she might be good for him, and fostering and developing talented artists was her calling in life. If nothing else, this wandering minstrel would be better off for the association.

So there was only one thing left for her to pursueˇpure and unadulterated adultery. Ifˇand yes it was still a big ifˇIf she were to actually follow through on this plan of action, at least she could have some delicious fun. And *that* was certainly something her weary self could use.

As the chorus played out on the song for the final time, a wicked grin spread across her lips.

We'll take the whole shebang
All or nothing, anything
Ecstasy's the birthright of our gang.
We'll take the whole shebang
Free your heart of guilt and shame,
Come and claim what's yours
The whole shebang.

[Lyrics: "The Whole Shebang" by Grant Lee Buffalo, from the _Velvet Goldmine_ soundtrack]